Judge Rules in Favor of National Day of Prayer; FFRF Sued Colo. for Violating First Amendment

The Christian Broadcast Network website reports today (October 30, 2010) that a Denver district court judge ruled this week that Colorado's governor's support for the National Day of Prayer does not violate the U.S. Constitution.

In 2008, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) sued Gov. Bill Ritter and Colorado, arguing the governor's National Day of Prayer proclamations violate the First Amendment.

Judge Michael Mullins dismissed the case, saying the proclamations do not encourage Coloradans to pray or not to pray, but merely assert their right to practice religion.

Governors across the U.S. issue proclamations for the National Day of Prayer -- established in 1988 by a federal law -- on the first Thursday each May.